Associate Professor Sveta Postnova
People_

Associate Professor Sveta Postnova

PhD
A/Prof of Neurophysics and Brain Dynamics
Phone
+61 2 9036 7971
Fax
+61 2 9351 7726
Address
F09 - Madsen Building
The University of Sydney
Websites
Associate Professor Sveta Postnova

Sveta Postnova leads the Circadian Physics and Sleep Dynamics Group in the School of Physics. Her interests are in brain dynamics and interaction between the brain, body, and environment. Specific topics include sleep-wake cycles, cognition, and circadian rhythms. She uses methods from physics, mathematics, and data science to develop quantitative models of brain dynamics and unify those with experimental data with the aim to explain mechanisms and design tools for health monitoring and disease prevention.

  • Brain Dynamics
  • Circadian Rhythms
  • Sleep
  • Brain disorders
  • Biophysical modelling

Degree Program Coordinator

  • Postgraduare Admissions, Physics
  • Junior Physics Labs (PHYS1001, PHYS1002, PHYS1901/1903, PHYS1003, PHYS1004, PHYS1902/1904)

Undergraduate lecturing

  • BMET2903/9903: Electromagnetism, Optics, Quantum/Radiation
  • PHYS1001 Intensive: Mechanics
  • PHYS1002: Waves (2018, 2019)

Broadly, the group focuses in brain dynamics of circadian rhythms and sleep.

Circadian rhythms: Circadian oscillations are present in every physiological function and every living organism on the planet, including plants and insects. We study how these 24-hour rhythms in, e.g., the human sleep-wake cycles, hormone levels, and alertness, are generated and how they are affected by the environmental time cues such as the solar light-dark cycle. We have a particular interest in mechanisms and health consequences of circadian misalignment - desynchronisation of the circadian rhythms from each other and/or from the environment. By using physically-based modelling and data science we quantitatively study this complex biological system, develop predictive tools and design interventions to minimise circadian misalignment.

Sleep dynamics: Why do we sleep and how does the brain transition into this seemingly unconscious state and out of it? How does sleep loss affect our alertness and memory, and why is long-term sleep loss associated with neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s? What do sleep and anaesthesia have in common? To answer these and other questions we use neural field, neural mass, and neural network modelling and experimental data collected at different physiological levels – from single neurons to whole brain activity.

Project titleResearch student
Quantitative modelling, manipulation, and inter-individual variability of circadian misalignment during jetlagShuzheng HUANG
Mathematical Model to untangle the interconnected network of sleep, circadian cycle and neurodegenerationSatyam SANGEET

Publications

Book Chapters

  • Robinson, P., Postnova, S., Abeysuriya, R., Kim, J., Roberts, J., McKenzie-Sell, L., Karanjai, A., Kerr, C., Fung, F., Anderson, R., Breakspear, M., Drysdale, P., Fulcher, B., Phillips, A., Rennie, C., Yin, G. (2015). A Multiscale "Working Brain" Model. In Basabdatta Sen Bhattacharya, Fahmida N. Chowdhury (Eds.), Validating NeuroComputational Models of Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders, (pp. 107-140). Cham: Springer. [More Information]
  • Postnova, S., Finke, C., Huber, M., Voigt, K., Braun, H. (2012). Conductance-Based Models for the Evaluation of Brain Functions, Disorders and Drug Effects. In Erik Mosekilde, Amin Rostami-Hodjegan, Olga Sosnovtseva (Eds.), Biosimulation in Biomedical Research, Health Care and Drug Development, (pp. 97-132). Wien: Springer. [More Information]
  • Braun, H., Postnova, S., Wollweber, B., Schneider, H., Belke, M., Voigt, K., Murck, H., Hemmeter, U., Huber, M. (2007). Biological Rhythms in Mental Disorders. In Martin Bertau, Erik Mosekilde, Hans V. Westerhoff (Eds.), Biosimulation in Drug Development, (pp. 197-232). Germany: Wiley - V C H Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA. [More Information]

Journals

  • Varma, P., Postnova, S., Knock, S., Howard, M., Aidman, E., Rajaratnam, S., Sletten, T. (2024). SleepSync: Early Testing of a Personalised Sleep–Wake Management Smartphone Application for Improving Sleep and Cognitive Fitness in Defence Shift Workers. Clocks & Sleep, 6(2), 267-280. [More Information]
  • Sabag, A., Ahmadi, M., Francois, M., Postnova, S., Cistulli, P., Fontana, L., Stamatakis, E. (2024). Timing of Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity, Mortality, Cardiovascular Disease, and Microvascular Disease in Adults With Obesity. Diabetes Care, 47(5), 890-897. [More Information]
  • Murray, J., Magee, M., Giliberto, E., Booker, L., Tucker, A., Galaska, B., Sibenaller, S., Baer, S., Postnova, S., et al (2023). Mobile app for personalized sleep–wake management for shift workers: A user testing trial. Digital Health, 9. [More Information]

Conferences

  • Postnova, S., Voigt, K., Braun, H. (2011). Modelling the Hypothalamic Control of Thalamic Synchronization along the Sleep-Wake Cycles. 2nd International Conference on Cognitive Neurodynamics ICCN 2009, Dordrecht: Springer. [More Information]
  • Jin, W., Postnova, S., Braun, H. (2011). Stochastic Resonance and Stochastic Encoding: Cooperative Effects of Noise and Intrinsic Dynamics in a Model Neuron with Subthreshold Oscillations. 2nd International Conference on Cognitive Neurodynamics ICCN 2009, Dordrecht: Springer. [More Information]
  • Postnova, S., Voigt, K., Braun, H. (2009). A mathematical model of homeostatic regulation of sleep-wake cycles by hypocretin/orexin. 2nd International Neuroinformatics Coordinating Facility Congress of Neuroinformatics INCF 2009, Switzerland: Frontiers Research Foundation.

2024

  • Varma, P., Postnova, S., Knock, S., Howard, M., Aidman, E., Rajaratnam, S., Sletten, T. (2024). SleepSync: Early Testing of a Personalised Sleep–Wake Management Smartphone Application for Improving Sleep and Cognitive Fitness in Defence Shift Workers. Clocks & Sleep, 6(2), 267-280. [More Information]
  • Sabag, A., Ahmadi, M., Francois, M., Postnova, S., Cistulli, P., Fontana, L., Stamatakis, E. (2024). Timing of Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity, Mortality, Cardiovascular Disease, and Microvascular Disease in Adults With Obesity. Diabetes Care, 47(5), 890-897. [More Information]

2023

  • Murray, J., Magee, M., Giliberto, E., Booker, L., Tucker, A., Galaska, B., Sibenaller, S., Baer, S., Postnova, S., et al (2023). Mobile app for personalized sleep–wake management for shift workers: A user testing trial. Digital Health, 9. [More Information]
  • Varma, P., Postnova, S., Phillips, A., Knock, S., Howard, M., Rajaratnam, S., Sletten, T. (2023). Pilot feasibility testing of biomathematical model recommendations for personalising sleep timing in shift workers. Journal of Sleep Research, e14026, 1-11. [More Information]

2022

  • Tekieh, T., Robinson, P., Postnova, S. (2022). Cortical waste clearance in normal and restricted sleep with potential runaway tau buildup in Alzheimer’s disease. Scientific Reports, 12(1). [More Information]
  • Pun, T., Phillips, C., Marshall, N., Comas, M., Hoyos, C., D'Rozario, A., Bartlett, D., Davis, W., Hu, W., Naismith, S., Postnova, S., Grunstein, R., Gordon, C., et al (2022). The Effect of Light Therapy on Electroencephalographic Sleep in Sleep and Circadian Rhythm Disorders: A Scoping Review. Clocks & Sleep, 4(3), 358-373. [More Information]

2021

  • Postnov, D., Merkulova, K., Postnova, S. (2021). Desynchrony and synchronisation underpinning sleep–wake cycles. European Physical Journal Plus, 136(5), 488. [More Information]
  • Knock, S., Magee, M., Stone, J., Ganesan, S., Mulhall, M., Lockley, S., Howard, M., Rajaratnam, S., Sletten, T., Postnova, S. (2021). Prediction of shiftworker alertness, sleep, and circadian phase using a model of arousal dynamics constrained by shift schedules and light exposure. Sleep, 44(11), zsab146. [More Information]
  • Nguyen, G., Postnova, S. (2021). Progress in modelling of brain dynamics during anaesthesia and the role of sleep-wake circuitry. Biochemical Pharmacology, 191, 114388. [More Information]

2020

  • Stone, J., Postnova, S., Sletten, T., Rajaratnam, S., Phillips, A. (2020). Computational approaches for individual circadian phase prediction in field settings. Current Opinion in Systems Biology, 22, 39-51. [More Information]
  • Tekieh, T., Lockley, S., Robinson, P., McCloskey, S., Zobaer, M., Postnova, S. (2020). Modeling melanopsin-mediated effects of light on circadian phase, melatonin suppression, and subjective sleepiness. Journal of Pineal Research, 69(3), 1-16. [More Information]

2019

  • Stone, J., Phillips, A., Ftouni, S., Magee, M., Howard, M., Lockley, S., Sletten, T., Anderson, C., Rajaratnam, S., Postnova, S. (2019). Generalizability of A Neural Network Model for Circadian Phase Prediction in Real-World Conditions. Scientific Reports, 9, 1-17. [More Information]
  • Postnova, S. (2019). Sleep Modelling across Physiological Levels. Clocks & Sleep, 1(1), 166-184. [More Information]
  • Bin, Y., Postnova, S., Cistulli, P. (2019). What works for jetlag? A systematic review of non-pharmacological interventions. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 43, 47-59. [More Information]

2018

  • Abeysuriya, R., Lockley, S., Robinson, P., Postnova, S. (2018). A unified model of melatonin, 6-sulfatoxymelatonin, and sleep dynamics. Journal of Pineal Research, 64(4), 1-17. [More Information]
  • Rosa, E., Postnova, S., Huber, M., Neiman, A., Bahar, S. (2018). Introduction to Focus Issue: Nonlinear science of living systems: From cellular mechanisms to functions. Chaos, 28(10), 1-5. [More Information]
  • Postnova, S., Lockley, S., Robinson, P. (2018). Prediction of Cognitive Performance and Subjective Sleepiness Using a Model of Arousal Dynamics. Journal of Biological Rhythms, 33(2), 203-218. [More Information]

2017

  • Shaffer, A., Follmann, R., Harris, A., Postnova, S., Braun, H., Rosa, E. (2017). A critical firing rate associated with tonic-to-bursting transitions in synchronized gap-junction coupled neurons. The European Physical Journal: Special Topics, 226(9), 1939-1951. [More Information]

2016

  • Postnova, S., Lockley, S., Robinson, P. (2016). Sleep Propensity under Forced Desynchrony in a Model of Arousal State Dynamics. Journal of Biological Rhythms, 31(5), 498-508. [More Information]

2015

  • Robinson, P., Postnova, S., Abeysuriya, R., Kim, J., Roberts, J., McKenzie-Sell, L., Karanjai, A., Kerr, C., Fung, F., Anderson, R., Breakspear, M., Drysdale, P., Fulcher, B., Phillips, A., Rennie, C., Yin, G. (2015). A Multiscale "Working Brain" Model. In Basabdatta Sen Bhattacharya, Fahmida N. Chowdhury (Eds.), Validating NeuroComputational Models of Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders, (pp. 107-140). Cham: Springer. [More Information]
  • Miller, C., Kyle, S., Gordon, C., Espie, C., Grunstein, R., Mullins, A., Postnova, S., Bartlett, D. (2015). Physiological Markers of Arousal Change with Psychological Treatment for Insomnia: A Preliminary Investigation. PloS One, 10(12), 1-14. [More Information]

2014

  • Fulcher, B., Phillips, A., Postnova, S., Robinson, P. (2014). A physiologically based model of orexinergic stabilisation of sleep and wake. PloS One, 9(3), 1-8. [More Information]
  • Postnova, S., Postnov, D., Seneviratne, M., Robinson, P. (2014). Effects of rotation interval on sleepiness and circadian dynamics on forward rotating 3-shift systems. Journal of Biological Rhythms, 29(1), 60-70. [More Information]

2013

  • Postnova, S., Fulcher, R., Braun, H., Robinson, P. (2013). A Minimal Physiologically Based Model of the HPA Axis under Influence of the Sleep-Wake Cycles. Pharmacopsychiatry, 46(Suppl 1), S36-43-S36-43. [More Information]
  • Postnova, S., Robinson, P., Postnov, D. (2013). Adaptation to Shift Work: Physiologically Based Modeling of the Effects of Lighting and Shifts' Start Time. PloS One, 8(1), 1-13. [More Information]
  • Tchaptchet, A., Postnova, S., Finke, C., Schneider, H., Huber, M., Braun, H. (2013). Modeling neuronal activity in relation to experimental voltage-/patch-clamp recordings. Brain Research, 1536, 159-167. [More Information]

2012

  • Postnova, S., Finke, C., Huber, M., Voigt, K., Braun, H. (2012). Conductance-Based Models for the Evaluation of Brain Functions, Disorders and Drug Effects. In Erik Mosekilde, Amin Rostami-Hodjegan, Olga Sosnovtseva (Eds.), Biosimulation in Biomedical Research, Health Care and Drug Development, (pp. 97-132). Wien: Springer. [More Information]
  • Patriarca, M., Postnova, S., Braun, H., Hernández García, E., Toral, R. (2012). Diversity and Noise Effects in a Model of Homeostatic Regulation of the Sleep-Wake Cycle. PLoS Computational Biology, 8(8), 1-17. [More Information]
  • Postnova, S., Layden, A., Robinson, P., Phillips, A., Abeysuriya, R. (2012). Exploring sleepiness and entrainment on permanent shift schedules in a physiologically based model. Journal of Biological Rhythms, 27(1), 91-102. [More Information]

2011

  • Postnova, S., Voigt, K., Braun, H. (2011). Modelling the Hypothalamic Control of Thalamic Synchronization along the Sleep-Wake Cycles. 2nd International Conference on Cognitive Neurodynamics ICCN 2009, Dordrecht: Springer. [More Information]
  • Postnova, S., Robinson, P. (2011). Neuronal mechanisms of shift workers' sleepiness. BMC Neuroscience, 12(Suppl. 1), F2 - 1-F2 - 2. [More Information]
  • Braun, H., Schwabedal, J., Dewald, M., Finke, C., Postnova, S., Huber, M., Wollweber, B., Schneider, H., Hirsch, M., Voigt, K., et al (2011). Noise-induced precursors of tonic-to-bursting transitions in hypothalamic neurons and in a conductance-based model. Chaos, 21(4), 1-12. [More Information]

2010

  • Postnova, S., Finke, C., Jin, W., Schneider, H., Braun, H. (2010). A computational study of the interdependencies between neuronal impulse pattern, noise effects and synchronization. Journal of Physiology-Paris, 104(3-4), 176-189. [More Information]
  • Postnova, S., Rosa, E., Braun, H. (2010). Neurones and Synapses for Systemic Models of Psychiatric Disorders. Pharmacopsychiatry, 43(Suppl. 1), S82-S91. [More Information]
  • Finke, C., Postnova, S., Rosa, E., Freund, J., Huber, M., Voigt, K., Moss, F., Braun, H., Feudel, U. (2010). Noisy activation kinetics induces bursting in the Huber-Braun neuron model. The European Physical Journal: Special Topics, 187(1), 199-203. [More Information]

2009

  • Braun, H., Postnova, S., Finke, C., Jin, W. (2009). A computer-modeling study of neuronal sensitivity and synchronization at tonic-to-bursting transitions. Acta Physiologica, 195(Suppl 669), KN315.
  • Postnova, S., Voigt, K., Braun, H. (2009). A Mathematical Model of Homeostatic Regulation of Sleep-Wake Cycles by Hypocretin/Orexin. Journal of Biological Rhythms, 24(6), 523-535. [More Information]
  • Postnova, S., Voigt, K., Braun, H. (2009). A mathematical model of homeostatic regulation of sleep-wake cycles by hypocretin/orexin. 2nd International Neuroinformatics Coordinating Facility Congress of Neuroinformatics INCF 2009, Switzerland: Frontiers Research Foundation.

2008

  • Figueroa Helland, V., Postnova, S., Schwarz, U., Kurths, J., Kundermann, B., Hemmeter, U., Braun, H. (2008). Comparison of Different Methods for the Evaluation of Treatment Effects from the Sleep EEG of Patients with Major Depression. Journal of Biological Physics, 34(3-4), 393-404. [More Information]
  • Braun, H., Moss, F., Postnova, S., Mosekilde, E. (2008). Complexity in Neurology and Psychiatry. Journal of Biological Physics, 34(3-4), 249-252. [More Information]
  • Finke, C., Vollmer, J., Postnova, S., Braun, H. (2008). Propagation effects of current and conductance noise in a model neuron with subthreshold oscillations. Mathematical Biosciences, 214(1-2), 109-121. [More Information]

2007

  • Figueroa Helland, V., Schwarz, U., Kurths, J., Postnova, S., Braun, H., Hemmeter, U. (2007). Anylysis of sleep-EEG from depressed patients. Pharmacopsychiatry, 40(5), 239.
  • Braun, H., Postnova, S., Wollweber, B., Schneider, H., Belke, M., Voigt, K., Murck, H., Hemmeter, U., Huber, M. (2007). Biological Rhythms in Mental Disorders. In Martin Bertau, Erik Mosekilde, Hans V. Westerhoff (Eds.), Biosimulation in Drug Development, (pp. 197-232). Germany: Wiley - V C H Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA. [More Information]
  • Postnova, S., Wollweber, B., Voigt, K., Braun, H. (2007). Impulse pattern in bi-directionally coupled model neurons of different dynamics. BioSystems, 89(1-3), 135-142. [More Information]

2006

  • Braun, H., Schneider, H., Wollweber, B., Postnova, S., Huber, M., Voigt, K. (2006). Computer simulations as alternatives in education and in research: the sim- and cLabs-programs and the BioSim Project. Chinese Pharmacologist, 23, 10-11.
  • Postnova, S., Voigt, K., Braun, H. (2006). Computer simulations of two gap-junction coupled model neurons with single-spike and burst activity. Acta Physiologica, 186(Suppl 650), 125.
  • Schneider, H., Postnova, S., Voigt, K., Braun, H. (2006). Effects of Gap-Junction Coupling in a Neural Network Model with Tonic, Bursting and Chaotic Discharges. Acta Physiologica, 186(Suppl 650), 113.

2005

  • Braun, H., Postnova, S., Wollweber, B., Schneider, H., Voigt, K., Penzel, T., Huber, M. (2005). Computer simulations of drug effects in mental diseases and sleep disorders: from cellular to systemic functions. Journal of Critical Care, 20(4), 384.
  • Postnova, S., Nekrasov, A., Sosnovtseva, O. (2005). Noise-induced effects in dynamics of coupled bursters. SPIE Photonics West Conference 2005, United States: SPIE - International Society for Optical Engineering.

2004

  • Sosnovtseva, O., Postnova, S., Mosekilde, E., Braun, H. (2004). Inter-Pattern Transitions in a Noisy Bursting Cell. Fluctuation and Noise Letters, 4(3), L521-L533. [More Information]

Selected Grants

2024

  • Paving the way for ultra-long haul flights: strategies to mitigate jetlag, Postnova S, Bin Y, Simpson S, Caillaud C, Allman-Farinelli M, De Chazal P, Cistulli P, Sletten T, Stamatakis E, Capps P, Van Dongen H, Australian Research Council (ARC)/Linkage Projects (LP)
  • Biophysics of the brains waste disposal system: Understanding why we sleep, Postnova S, Grunstein R, Australian Research Council (ARC)/Discovery Projects (DP)

2022

  • Qantas Health Wellbeing Project Support, Postnova S, Charles Perkins Centre/Internal Research Award